FILENAMES: SteerSA.JPG SteerSB.JPG SteerSC.JPG SteerSD.JPG SteerSE.JPG SteerSF.JPG SteerSG.JPG SteerSH.JPG SteerSI.JPG SteerSJ.JPG SteerSK.JPG DESCRIPTION: These are pictures showing the process of building up a shaft in the process of repairing a steering column on a garden tractor. Posted by Matt Maguire . Matt provided the following description: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Files contained; 12 including this file; SteerS.txt - This text file SteerSA.JPG - The steering colunm showing a worn diameter and a pinion that had been to the DENTIST for a tooth removal! SteerSB.JPG - Removing the weld from the column and pinion. SteerSC.JPG - The new Boston NSS1213 pinion next to the damaged pinion and column (SEE NOTES). SteerSD.JPG - A view of a Comonoy MK7 powder torch being used to preheat and build up worn diameter (SEE NOTES). SteerSE.JPG - The worn diameter still hot after buildup. SteerSF.JPG - Machining the NiCrSi brazing alloy (SEE NOTES). SteerSG.JPG - Boring the pinion to .625" to fit column. SteerSH.JPG - Removing the pinion "boss". SteerSI.JPG - The pinion welded to the column (SEE NOTES). SteerSJ.JPG - A view of the repaired steering column after a post heat of the weld and polishing. Also shown are a shaft that had been built up with copper based alloy rod and a rebuilt blade spindle. SteerSK.JPG - A better view of a diameter built up with a copper based alloy rod. (SEE NOTES). I bought my dad a vintage CASE #195 garden tractor in 1999 for fathers day to replace his Sears tractor. By the fall of 99' we had rebuilt the engine and discovered that there was a lot left to do, so I hauled the tractor back to my shop where I could continue this journey, and hopefully get it in shape for fathers day 2000! *NOTES* The pinion is a 12 pitch, 13 tooth, 14 1/2 degree pressure angle steel pinion. These are available from most bearing suppliers and electric motor shops. A lot of folks manufacture them, this one is from BOSTON Gear and the Boston designation is NSS1213. If you aren't comfortable with gear measurements (it's hard to tell the difference between 14 1/2 and 20 degree P.A.s' in small, worn pinions) your local supplier will have a pitch guage. Brazing is often overlooked with small diameter shafting, it is fast, and allows for a surface hardness up 60RC. The torch I have is a Colmonoy but other manufacturers include Eutectic, Allstate (esab), Metco and more. I chose a powdered NiCrSi alloy that is about 24RC when applied and will work harden to 34 - 36RC in use. If you don't have a powder torch, there is still a world of alloys out there in rod form. Although not as easily applied to a rotating shaft as powder, buildups of up to 1/4" with 1700F - 1900F alloys are possible with care. I showed a shaft brazed with a close alloy to Everdur, from Anaconda (copper based), this rod is a wonderfull fix for worn diameters and is it ever tough, passing even Ampco18 in making carbide toolbits SCREAM! In the years I've been at it the only other methods of repairing shafts 1 1/2" and under that are as fast and work as well are ARC-WIRE spray, and HVOF spray, both of these involve expensive equipment and involve particles at super sonic velocities making life difficult with the neighbors who may want a little "QUIET". I welded the new pinion to the column with S-2 filler and a TIG mostly for cosmetic reasons. Commercial gear material is often AISI 1026 - 1030 and may be welded safely by any proccess with a little preheat. If this were a highly stressed point between the shaft and gear I would also have thought of brazing the pinion on. The most successful work I have done with re-splining hydraulic motors is by brazing a new spline to the machined motor shaft. I think the next task in my dads' Case tractor/fathers day gift saga will be re-maning the front axle.... Respecfully submitted Matt Maguire